Twitter swiftly reacted to "GRRRLS" and the lyric in question was blasted for being an offensive "ableist slur."
“Hey @lizzo my disability Cerebral Palsy is literally classified as Spastic Diplegia (where spasticity refers to unending painful tightness in my legs) your new song makes me pretty angry + sad. ‘Spaz’ doesn’t mean freaked out or crazy. It’s an ableist slur. It’s 2022. Do better.”
"GRRRLS," which samples the controversial 1986 Beastie Boys track "Girls," was revised and Lizzo quickly issued an apology.
“It’s been brought to my attention that there is a harmful word in my new song ‘GRRRLS,’" she wrote. "Let me make one thing clear: I never want to promote derogatory language. As a fat Black woman in America, I’ve had many hurtful words used against me so I overstand the power words can have (whether intentionally or in my case unintentionally).
“I’m proud to say there’s a new version of ‘GRRRLS’ with a lyric change. This is the result of me listening and taking action. As an influential artist I’m dedicated to being a part of the change I’ve been waiting to see in the world. Xoxo, Lizzo.”